De’s students today were hapless residents of Ultandanga railway bustee who lost everything from books to shelter during a devastating fire about a fortnight ago. About a dozen students who lost their books and notes are being given tuition for their forthcoming exams for free and the minister went to visit them today.

Once there, the teacher in De took over and he could not resist from taking a special class for students who are set to appear in the Madhyamik examination scheduled for next month.

As the minister walked into the class around 3 pm, Sudipta Halder of Hare School was teaching geography. Though reluctant to interrupt, De was pressed by students to take classes.

The minister relented after repeated requests and offered them advice on how to deal with the examination stress, asking the children not to panic and keep the focus.

“Ask questions to the teachers. By doing so, you can clear your doubts and become more confident for the examination,” he told them, adding they must sleep well and speak to their loved ones before appearing for the examination.

Uttam Malangi, a Class X student of Deshabandhu School for Boys whose house was gutted in the fire, said he is getting much-needed help from the teachers for preparing for the examination. “The minister taught us how to deal with examination stress, which we will keep in mind,” he said.

Classes for the students of the Basanti Colony in Ultadanga are being held since January 21.

The West Bengal Government School Teachers’ Association had taken the initiative of teaching the students voluntarily. Every day, at Biddhanagar Government School, classes are held in two batches where two teachers volunteer.